Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card issuers from which MillionMileSecrets.com receives compensation. Compensation does not impact the placement of cards on Million Mile Secrets other than in banner advertising. MillionMileSecrets.com does not include all credit card offers that might be available to consumers in the marketplace.

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

The Secret Way to Get the Most Southwest Flights From Your Points!

December 19, 2016
by
Million Mile Secrets Million Mile Secrets

Signing-up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Here’s our full Advertising Policy.

Million Mile SecretsMillion Mile Secrets Team

Signing-up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Here’s our full Advertising Policy.

Update: The step-by-step guide below to using Pay With Points for Southwest flights still works for AMEX Business Platinum cardholders.

Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

Remember, even though you’ll get 50% of your points back in the next step, you’ll still need the full amount of points at the time you call to credit the purchase.

Step 4. Wait to Get 50% of Your Points Back

Getting 50% of your AMEX Membership Rewards points back is automatic. But you’ll have to wait 8 to 10 weeks to see them in your account. It’s possible the AMEX Membership Rewards representative can apply the rebate instantly when you call in to apply points to the airfare purchase.

Check Your AMEX Membership Rewards Account for a Points Rebate

This is a long time to wait. But I think it’s worth it because this method requires the fewest number of points to book a Southwest flight.

And folks with the Companion Pass get DOUBLE the value (4 cents per point) by using AMEX Membership Rewards points linked to their Business Platinum card.

To use AMEX Membership Rewards points for Southwest flights, first purchase the flight through the Southwest website. Then, contact AMEX Membership Rewards at 800-297-3276 to use points to offset the charge.

If you liked this post, why don’t you join the 33,000+ readers who have signed-up to receive free blog posts via email (only 1 email per day!) or in an RSS reader …because then you’ll never miss another update!

$95

Yes

Rates & Fees

Other

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

In February I was able to do this successfully with a Southwest flight, but tonight, following the June 1 change, I have been rejected by multiple CSR reps. I followed the exact procedures I did in February, booking on SW, then calling the correct number (Membership Rewards 3276). I have been grandfathered in until Feb. 2018 at the 50% rate, but CSR reps (at multiple supervisor levels) tell me they have received an email that EXPLICITLY forbids them giving the points refund after the fact. I think this change was made at the same time as the reduction to 35% refund. It’s now required to book through Amex Platinum travel, and yes you have to pay $39 for SW bookings. I’m still getting the 50% points bonus, but it will be 6-8 weeks on refund of points. I don’t think there is any way around it now. The rep did actually forgo the $39 fee because it was such a hassle for me to cancel my original flight, and then rebook through Amex. And it still cost me 2000 more points than I originally had it booked for on SW, but was still a 8000 points saving vs. booking with SW points.

I am trying to confirm that someone has done this recently before I make Southwest my preferred airline. Just called Amex about this and they said I would need to book through Amex travel for a $39 fee and that I could not book then get a refund of points. The rep did seem to be a bit clueless. Has anyone done this recently?

I booked a flight on 5/31 but called minutes after the MR Department had closed for the day. Tried a chat but didn’t expect anything based on above posts and he did say he could only do 166/$1, so I got off. Tried to call this morning and was told I needed to wait 48 hours for the charge to show up on their end and by then I could only get a 35% bonus. So I guess the rule was we had to have the points applied by 5/31? Any hope of me calling again and getting them to give me the 5% bonus?

Cathleen, wait for the transaction to go from pending to post. It should still be dated 5/31 if you purchased on that date. My transaction recorded at 5/27 even though it finally got posted on 5/31. Then call MR and hash it out. Do not take no for an answer. Hang up and call again or ask for Supervisor to reconsider. They will probably say, “This is a one time exemption….blah blah blah!” Good Luck! Keep us updated.

Thanks, David. I did get through to the correct department and she said I “should” be able to get 50% of the points back because I booked before June 1. However, it’s now taking 10-12 weeks for points to be refunded so I suppose I might have to fight it in a few months if that does not happen.

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)